| Working in a home-based business takes | | | | During work time, keep your office door closed. |
| dedication to its setup and maintenance, to run | | | | The idea is to focus, and it is easier to focus in |
| smoothly. Whether you work for a large | | | | peace, free from distractions. If your pets are |
| company as a home agent or fully on your own, | | | | distracting, they too must stay outside the room. |
| its important to train yourself to use time wisely | | | | My cat sleeps under my lamp, so I'm lucky. If he |
| and efficiently. Having worked independently both | | | | wakes up and begins stomping all over the |
| for corporations and for myself, here are some | | | | computer keyboard, I put him out in the living |
| tips I use to stay focused and organized, despite | | | | room, and close my door. Loud pets can be |
| distractions. | | | | disruptive, especially if you work on the phones |
| First of all, create a comfortable office for | | | | like I do. It doesn't hurt the loud pet to be out in |
| yourself. But not too comfortable, or you won't | | | | the garage or another part of the house while |
| want to work. For example, I bought a big, cushy | | | | you work. Or, feed the animal, then he's too busy |
| massage recliner for my desk chair, to go with | | | | eating to be in your office making noise. Be |
| my big mahogany desk. They both took up the | | | | creative in ways to find distractions for those |
| whole room. Being the supervisor in sales for a | | | | who distract you, in advance of work time. So |
| large corporation from home, I close sales other | | | | when you are working, you don't need to stop |
| salespeople can't. But, during the period of time | | | | and figure it out then. |
| when the overly comfortable recliner was in my | | | | Also, turn off cellphones, and tell friends not to call |
| office (about a month), my sales plummeted. My | | | | you during work time. Then, keep this boundary. |
| best guess is that my motivation was lessened | | | | If they call, tell them you'll call back after work or |
| by the fact that the chair was too darned | | | | on a break. It's tempting to get sidetracked by |
| comfortable. That must be why there are so | | | | others, but they interfere with making money by |
| many office chairs that are not all that | | | | interrupting you during time you've allotted for |
| comfortable but are popular. So, I went and | | | | business. This is hard, I know, but a necessary |
| bought a normal executive chair which reclined | | | | issue to keep you focused and serious about your |
| somewhat, but wasn't overly fancy. That did the | | | | work. |
| trick. My sales went back up to par and stayed | | | | Take breaks, especially if you feel stressed. It's a |
| there. The recliner is now in the living room, | | | | proven fact that working straight without breaks |
| where it belongs. | | | | makes the quality of work go down. So, when |
| Make sure the room where your office is, is large | | | | you need a break, take one. Get up and do |
| enough. I moved my huge desk into another | | | | something relaxing. Or, if nothing else, go get |
| room to give more space, since the room it had | | | | some coffee. Then, your mindset will be more |
| been in was too small for it. Now, with room to | | | | positive and refreshed when the break is over. |
| move, space to work in and a chair that keeps | | | | Quality work is important, more than quantity. I |
| me from getting too comfortable, I'm in business. | | | | am a workaholic and work ten or more hours a |
| Another issue that can matter in the home office | | | | day. So, I take a lot of short, 5-minute breaks for |
| environment is knicknacks. Working in corporate | | | | mental rejuvenation(coffee helps me for a |
| headquarters previously, I saw cubicles decorated | | | | physical boost) to keep everything on track. |
| in every way. Each person has whatever works | | | | Dress for work in business casual attire, not in |
| best for them. Some tape trolls to the top of | | | | pajamas, when working from home. It keeps me |
| their monitors, there should be a law against this, | | | | in a more professional mindset and reminds me |
| in my mind. One time I was working at | | | | that I have real work to accomplish, not just |
| someone's desk who had far too many | | | | some chore to get out of bed to do. Maybe later, |
| chotchkes and picture frames. Every time I | | | | when your business is fancier and you have more |
| turned around, something fell over. Thank | | | | freetime, you can change your working ways, but |
| goodness I was only there an hour, but it wasn't | | | | in the building and maintenance of a small business, |
| the most productive hour, due to having to tiptoe | | | | it pays to be more disciplined and businesslike. |
| around her stuff. But hey, whatever floats your | | | | By taking your work seriously, planning your |
| boat for maximum work effectiveness, some | | | | office, time and tasks, working at home is a snap. |
| don't mind working this way. Find what works for | | | | It just takes a little re-training of values, and |
| you. I have a few things on my desk for | | | | some patience but it becomes comfortable to |
| motivational purposes, including my cat, who | | | | have structure after awhile. Just make sure to |
| refuses to leave my desk alone. But, it's not | | | | stop to smell the coffee, here and there, to |
| cluttered to the point that work suffers. It's all | | | | maintain your concentration and drive. Owning a |
| about usability, is your desk arranged in an | | | | business is all about drive, logic and persistence. |
| efficient way so you can get to supplies and | | | | Many successful entrepreneurs work most of the |
| papers quickly, if needed? Working on the phone | | | | time and make good use of their limited time. |
| and computer, this is important for me. | | | | People I know like this enjoy what they do, |
| A contributing factor to working at home is family | | | | because they've figured out how to make it work |
| interference. If you have children, you know what | | | | for them. That is your job as an independent |
| I'm talking about. Teach everyone to leave you | | | | consultant. Figure out exactly what works |
| alone during work time, unless there is a true | | | | mentally and physically for you, and you're on |
| emergency to attend to. Hire a sitter, if need be. | | | | your way to business success. |